Guyana’s Golden Jaguars managed to pull off a come-from-behind draw in the final match of Group `B’ of the Digicel Caribbean Champ-ionships at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence last night to advance as Group `B’ winners for the next round of matches scheduled for Trinidad in September.
And, speaking at a press conference after the game, Technical Director Jamaal Shabazz said that he thought the Surinamese played good football.
Shabazz, who stated that he was delighted at the outcome of the match, said the Surinamese defended well and were well organized.
Guyana will play the remainder of their matches in Trinidad and Jamaica and it is safe to say that they are going with a great deal of confidence since about 16 of the players are accustomed to that territory.
Earlier this year, the Golden Jaguars were eliminated by Suriname in the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers with Suriname winning 1-0 on June 14 at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium and 2-1 at the Guyana National Stadium.
“I am satisfied with the draw, we were hoping for a win but a draw is a draw and a win is a win,” were the words from Jaguars’ captain Charles Pollard, who also told the press that this was his final international match on home soil.
Pollard said that it was a tough game but he thought that it was a tremendous effort by the team against such a formidable opposition.
“Though it was a good effort I feel we still have some kids in the middle of the park,” Pollard said , referring to some inexperienced starting players in the team at the international level.
Numerous questions were directed to Shabazz about the form of goalkeeper Richard Reynolds who has also announced his retirement and about a possible replacement.
“It would be hard to just dispose of ‘Rich’ because we have invested 15 years of football in that player but we are working with him,” Shabazz replied.
Suriname captain Marlon Felter admitted that it was a tough game and said his team did its best but was unfortunate to finish with a draw and lose the pole position of Group B.
“We were a bit unlucky with the overall outcome but that is football. Our team did not lose anything from this because I play with professional footballers not kids. There are good days and bad days,” said Kenneth Jaliens head coach of the Suriname team.
